Our frequent flyers and air travel passengers, let’s try to recall how many times we suffered frustration, money loss due to cancellation, rescheduling, name correction, or so many other things. If you don’t want to recall those moments, then let’s not dig up old grievances, cause this time we have a reason to celebrate. It’s a big relief for all our flyers. While booking your flight, you don’t have to suffer any of those recurring charges on anything. No clue about the news yet? Let Corporate Soldiers break the news to you.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or the DGCA, has made it a bit easier for flyers. Yes, now you can take a sigh of relief and ease your air travel woes as DGCA has been proposing new rules, and according to the new rules, passengers will have improved flexibility and transparency when it comes to booking flight tickets. The new amendments to the Civil Aviation Requirements or CAR has just been drafted by DGCA. These new rules mean that air travellers will have the right to cancel or modify their flight bookings completely free of charge within 48 hours of purchase. Pleased? Let us bring every detail for you, so you can cheer up even more!
What Are These New Rules?
Air travellers, you can relax a bit while booking your tickets, as the new rules that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA has proposed are for your convenience. Your complaints and frequent queries have made it all possible. Yes, these passenger-friendly draft rules have been introduced due to the grievances and mounting complaints about steep cancellation charges, delayed refunds, and inflexible ticketing policies.
Now these new rules will provide you with ease of booking, travel with less hassle. You will soon be able to cancel or modify flight bookings for free within 48 hours, correct name errors at no extra cost, and count on refunds for medical emergencies. The refunds will be processed by airlines within a strict 21-day window. Yes, the urgency is on them this time. Hence, more transparency, greater flexibility, and even greater consumer protection. So, all your air travels will be easier and fairer across the country.
Cheer 1. You Will Have A 48-Hour Window
It’s your first cheer! The proposed rules include a ‘Free Cancellation and Rescheduling’, which means you will have a free 48-hour window. It will be a kind of look-in window of 48 hours after booking, where you can cancel or change your flight details. These changes can be done without incurring extra fees. Yes, it will all be free within the mentioned time frame. But remember, beyond this certain period, the usual cancellation or amendment charges will apply. So, you must apply the changes within a 48-hour window. This rule will bring relief to flyers who often second-guess their bookings or need to alter plans shortly after purchasing tickets.
Conditions to Remember
The 48-hour free cancellation window will not apply to bookings made less than five days before departure for domestic flights and less than fifteen days for international flights, balancing the passengers’ right with airlines’ operational needs. Airlines may charge the difference in fare if the passenger reschedules to a more expensive flight during the free modification period.
Cheer 2. No Fees for Name Corrections Within 24 Hours
The second reason to cheer is the addition to ticket cancellations. The DGCA proposed a new rule that airlines must allow free correction of name spellings or passenger details. If these corrections are made within 24 hours of the ticket purchase, all passengers should have the freedom to make corrections. Earlier travellers had to pay to do these corrections. Now, this new rule will help passengers avoid unnecessary charges due to minor errors made at the time of booking. This way, it makes air travel easier and hassle-free.
Cheer 3. Medical Emergency? Get Full Refund
Had a medical emergency and still paid for cancellation fee. It will change now. DGCA is changing this on human grounds and, understanding the sensitivity involved in such scenarios, it has plans to mandate airlines to provide passengers with full refunds or credit options. So, in case any passenger has a medical emergency and they cancel their tickets due to it. The passenger will be able to get full a refund on verified medical emergencies. This is quite a kind consideration of passenger rights in unpredictable personal emergencies.
Cheer 4. Refund Responsibility on Airlines
Now, here is the more cheering news for you! Airlines will be held directly responsible for refund processing. This will apply even when tickets are booked through third parties such as travel agents and online portals. So, in case you cancel your flight due to any medical emergency or other reason, airlines have to take responsibility for your refund. This way, the speed of refund timelines will be faster and the airline will be accountable for it. So, end of the frustrating delays we often face as a traveller.
Cheer 5. Mandatory Timely Refunds
Dear passengers! You don’t have to wait for months and go round on round on calls to get your refund. The DGCA is proposing that airlines must complete the refund process within 21 working days of cancellation. This way, it is trying to address one of the longstanding concerns of delayed reimbursements as they affect passenger trust and convenience.
Benefit For All Flyers!
These proposed changes will benefit millions of domestic and international travellers. These new rules will surely provide more flexibility for travellers. Also, it will reduce the financial uncertainty and enhance air travellers’ overall travel experience. Whether booking business trips, student flights, family holidays, or emergency travel, passengers will now hold greater control with minimal risks of financial loss due to last-minute changes. So, let’s celebrate this news together, shall we?
Passengers, Give Your Feedback to DGCA
You must give your feedback to DGCA. This is such a great initiative by DGCA. It has invited feedback from the public until the end of November 2025 on these draft amendments. So, your comments can change it further. If you have more concerns or any issues regarding these points or have any other suggestions, you can give your feedback to DGCA. Only after carefully reviewing the comments, the regulator finalise and implement the new passenger rights regulations. These changes are expected to come into effect in early 2026. Hence, you must do it soon.
Let Corporate Soldiers tell you how you can do it!
- Visit the DGCA official website portal at dgca.gov.in.
- Now, you must locate the Public Consultation Section. Look for the ‘Public Notices’ or ‘Consultations’ tab, where draft regulations and consultation documents are published.
- Download the draft notification. Find the specific draft notification regarding the new flight ticket cancellation and modification rules.
- Prepare your feedback. Read the draft carefully and prepare your feedback, suggestions, or concerns clearly and professionally, referencing specific clauses if applicable.
- Submit your feedback online. Many DGCA consultations accept direct online submissions via an e-form or dedicated email address found in the consultation notice.
- Use the official Email address.
- Mention subject line referring to the specific consultation, such as feedback on DGCA draft rules for flight ticket cancellations.
- Send before the deadline.
Let’s Cheer Up!
Three cheers for DGCA’s new proposal! It is a breath of relief for flyers who have long struggled with cancellation policies, non-refundable bookings, and delayed refunds. By enabling free cancellations within 48 hours, no-charge name corrections, medical emergency refunds, and timely reimbursements, the regulatory body is creating air travel fairness and convenience in India. This initiative not only protects travellers’ interests but also aligns with global best practices in consumer rights in aviation.
So, dear flyers! You can look forward to smoother, less stressful booking experiences where plans can adapt as life demands! Corporate Soldiers wishes you a safe flight!
